Cultural diversity

Language used at home

About this topic

Language used at home shows which languages people speak in their home life and whether English or another language is used most often. It is a key indicator of cultural diversity and language retention within communities.

This topic is useful for planning communication, multicultural services, and local engagement. It should be analysed together with proficiency in English and birthplace, because language alone does not show migration history or support needs.

Interpretation notes

  • The Census records the language used most often at home, so it does not capture every language a person can speak.
  • Language used at home is not a measure of English proficiency, literacy, or migration history on its own.

Key insight

In 2021, English was the most common language used at home among residents in Salisbury North, accounting for 67% (7,156 people). This share was higher than Salisbury (C) (62.9%). Since 2016, the biggest change was in Nepali, which decreased by 73 people and 1 percentage point.

Section overview

Language used at home - Ranked by size

Salisbury North - Total persons (Usual residence)

This table summarises language used at home for Salisbury North in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Salisbury (C) and change since 2016.

Language used at home - Ranked by size snapshot

2021 distribution by category for Salisbury North, with comparison markers for Salisbury (C).

Salisbury North
Salisbury (C)

English

2021 count

7,156

% of total

67.0%

Change from 2016

-5.0pp

Not stated

2021 count

829

% of total

7.8%

Change from 2016

+1.5pp

Vietnamese

2021 count

288

% of total

2.7%

Change from 2016

+0.4pp

Nepali

2021 count

272

% of total

2.5%

Change from 2016

-1.0pp

Hazaraghi

2021 count

175

% of total

1.6%

Change from 2016

+0.5pp

Khmer

2021 count

163

% of total

1.5%

Change from 2016

+0.5pp

Arabic

2021 count

146

% of total

1.4%

Change from 2016

+0.6pp

Tagalog

2021 count

121

% of total

1.1%

Change from 2016

0.0pp

Spanish

2021 count

101

% of total

0.9%

Change from 2016

+0.1pp

Serbian

2021 count

82

% of total

0.8%

Change from 2016

-0.2pp

Data table

Language used at home for Salisbury North. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Salisbury (C).

Language used at home for Salisbury North. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Salisbury (C).
Language used at home for Salisbury North. Language used at home - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Salisbury (C).
Category20212016Change
Count%Salisbury (C)%Count%Salisbury (C)%Countpp
English7,15667.0%62.9%7,11372.0%67.2%+43-5.0pp
Not stated8297.8%4.6%6216.3%4.8%+208+1.5pp
Vietnamese2882.7%4.0%2272.3%3.9%+61+0.4pp
Nepali2722.5%1.5%3453.5%1.2%-73-1.0pp
Hazaraghi1751.6%2.4%1071.1%1.1%+68+0.5pp
Khmer1631.5%1.8%1011.0%1.7%+62+0.5pp
Arabic1461.4%1.6%780.8%1.2%+68+0.6pp
Tagalog1211.1%0.9%1111.1%0.8%+100.0pp
Spanish1010.9%0.7%830.8%0.7%+18+0.1pp
Serbian820.8%0.5%951.0%0.5%-13-0.2pp
Total10,684100.0%100.0%9,882100.0%100.0%+8020.0pp

Excludes languages spoken at home by fewer than 10 people.